Attack on CMs house exposes chinks in security

KOTTAYAM: The attack on Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s ancestral house at Puthuppally has exposed the security lapse on the part of the police who were assigned the task of the CM’s safety. The police are struggling to crack the case owing to absence of leads.As usual, the cops have gone on top gear after the crime has been executed. However, hours after the incident, they have not managed to get any concrete clue. The police have preferred to bank on the sniffer dogs to trace the miscreants but ignored the new generation high resolution cameras.DySP P D Radhakrishna Pillai, head of the special team probing the case, said that there was no police bandobust at the place in the absence of the Chief Minister. He added that there was a sufficient surveillance system installed close to the house which the CM visits every week. The police is banking on CM’s brother, his wife and neighbours to gather information to crack the case.According to police sources, the sniffer dog led the police to a nearby market leaving the cops to presume that the criminals had brought the stones from the market. The police are also analysing the mobile calls that were recorded during Thursday night.At a time when high profile surveillance systems are installed at ordinary homes, it is glaring to find the government compromising on the security of the high profile area. Security has been beefed up at Puthupally after the attack on Thursday night.   The probe is being closely monitored by district police chief C Rajagopal and other senior police officials camping at Puthpally.There are unconfirmed reports that four persons had executed the crime when CM’s  brother and wife were watching TV at home. Alex Chandy could only figure out men in white robes taking to heals on seeing him.Rural Development Minister K C Joshep visited the house on Thursday night. Meanwhile, attempts by the Congress workers to take out a march to the CPM office were diffused after senior leaders persuaded them. Putuhpually mandalam Congress committee organised a protest march from Kanjirathumuttu to Puthuppally Junction.